Team Goemkarponn
CURTORIM: The Curtorim village panchayat has taken a firm stand against hill cutting, putting up a warning board at Battiem after intervening to stop earth-cutting activity at the site.
Sarpanch Milagres Rodrigues, accompanied by panchayat members, installed the board on Monday as part of the local body’s efforts to prevent further damage to the village’s hills and natural landscape.
Rodrigues said the panchayat acted after the hill-cutting activity was brought to its notice and a complaint was lodged with the flying squad. The work was stopped before the warning board was erected.
He said the board was intended to make the panchayat’s position clear to both residents and those purchasing land for development.
“The panchayat has stopped hill cutting at Battiem after the activity was brought to our notice. We have now installed a board to drive home the message that no hill cutting activity will be tolerated in the village,” Rodrigues said.
The Sarpanch also urged property owners and developers to comply with regulations, warning that the panchayat would take action against violations.
He appealed to residents to alert the panchayat whenever they come across suspected illegal hill cutting.
“100 per cent, we will act against hill cutting. Our appeal to the people is to please go by the rule book. If any illegal hill cutting is found, we will not spare the violators,” he said.
Rodrigues said the panchayat was determined to protect Curtorim’s green landscape and called for cooperation from villagers in reporting violations.
The issue has also been brought to the notice of Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, who, according to Rodrigues, has extended his support to the panchayat’s efforts against hill cutting.
The panchayat’s latest action comes amid concerns raised by residents of Maina over housing projects proposed in the area. Residents have approached the panchayat, Salcete BDO and the Additional Director of Panchayats, South Goa, seeking intervention over the projects.
